Agenda, decisions and minutes

With effect from 1 April 2016 Agenda and Minutes will be available
in both Welsh and English. Reports are working documents and
produced in English only in accordance with Welsh Language Standard
41 of this Council’s Final Compliance Notice from the Welsh
Language Commissioner.

The Mayor welcomed the
newly appointed Chief Executive, Ian
Bancroft, to his first full Council meeting.

The Mayor reminded Members
that that tickets for his charity dinner dance at the Ramada Plaza on Friday 19th
October were still tickets available and could be purchased from the Civic Office.

The Mayor thanked those
members who had supported the recent RAF100 events in the town centre last
month.He stated that he was honoured
topropose that the RAF in Wales receive
Freedom of the County Borough and he was certain that this would become a
highlight of his term of office when he looked back in years to come.

The Mayor made reference to
the recent RWF comrade’s reunion that took place on 1 September.He had been delighted to meet many of the
veterans and the act of remembrance at the RWF memorial was a poignant reminder
of those who have lost their lives serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers.He stated that it had been lovely to see more
Councillors in attendance this year at the beating retreat ceremony and
stressed the importance of continuing to support these events in future years.

The Mayor advised that he
and other Members had been in attendance for the recent annual service to commemorate
the anniversary of the Gresford colliery disaster.This important local event had been well attended
and it had been an honour to meet some of those whose family members were
directly affected by the disaster.

To consider any issues raised by Members arising from the Minutes of the
Executive Board, Scrutiny Committees and other Committees, together with any
questions raised under Standing Order 9 of the Council’s Standing Orders.For Members’ assistance, attached is a list
of the various meetings that have taken place since the last ordinary meeting
of the Council for which Minutes have been approved and published on the
Authority’s website.Copies can be
obtained, if required, via the Committee and Member Services Section.

(i)That the
Chair of the Audit Committee’s Annual Report 2017-18 be noted.

(ii)That the
updated Audit Committee Terms of Reference be agreed and that the Constitution
be amended to take account of the changes.

(iii)That Members
recognise

a)the importance of the Audit Committee’s role
in providing assurance as to the effectiveness of governance across the Council
and

b)the need for all Members to complete the
Annual Survey on the Effectiveness of the Audit Committee.

REASON FOR DECISION

(i)To ensure that Council can hold the
Audit Committee to account for its effectiveness in relation to its Terms of
Reference.

Minutes:

The
Chair of the Audit Committee submitted a report (HF/91/18) asking Members to consider the Audit Committee’s Annual Report 2017-18.

The
Leader conveyed his thanks to Mr Jerry O’Keeffe for the work he had undertaken as
Chair of the Audit Committee during the year.The Vice Chair of Audit Committee referred to the positive feedback
received from the Wales Audit Office on the work undertaken by the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(i)That the
Chair of the Audit Committee’s Annual Report 2017-18 be noted.

(ii)That the
updated Audit Committee Terms of Reference be agreed and that the Constitution
be amended to take account of the changes.

(iii)That Members
recognise

a)the importance of the Audit Committee’s role
in providing assurance as to the effectiveness of governance across the Council
and

b)the need for all Members to complete the
Annual Survey on the Effectiveness of the Audit Committee.

REASON FOR DECISION

(i)To ensure that Council can hold the Audit Committee to
account for its effectiveness in relation to its Terms of Reference.

REsolved - That the work of scrutiny during the year June 2017 to May
2018 be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION

To adhere to the related provisions of the
Council’s Constitution.

Minutes:

To Scrutiny Champion
submitted a report (HF/ 90 /18 ) allowing Council to
review the performance of and work undertaken by the Authority’s scrutiny
committees and related support in 2017/18.

The Leader, on behalf of all
Members, thanked Councillor Benbow-Jones for the work she had undertaken as
Scrutiny Champion.It was acknowledged
that she had fully embraced her role in taking the work of scrutiny forward.

REsolved - That the work of scrutiny during the year June 2017 to
May 2018 be noted.

RESOLVED
- That the webcasting contract renewal in January 2019 provide in addition for
the webcasting of all Scrutiny Committee meetings from the Council Chamber
subject to the availability of the Chamber and any other practical issues
during the remainder of the current municipal year and that the annual calendar
of meetings for 2019/20 take account of this.

REASON FOR DECISION

i.To strengthen public engagement and display openness and
transparency.

ii.To enable a proper procurement exercise to be undertaken in a
timely manner.

Minutes:

The
Chair of Democratic Services Committee submitted a report ( HCCS/18) allowing
Council to consider the practicalities and implications of expanding the
webcasting of scrutiny meetings.

The
Chair of Democratic Services Committee referred to the work undertaken by the
Task and Finish Group which had been established through the Committee to
consider the webcasting issues in more detail, including expansion of the
webcasting system.He advised that the
recommendation in the report was based on the views of the Democratic Services
Committee following its consideration of this detailed information.

The
Leader proposed an amendment, which was duly seconded as follows:

“That
the webcasting contract renewal in January 2019 provide for the webcasting of
all Scrutiny Committee meetings from the Council Chamber subject to the
availability of the Chamber and any other practical issues during the remainder
of the current municipal year and that the annual calendar of meetings for
2019/20 take account of this.”

The
Chair of Democratic Services Committee advised that he was in full support of
the amendment.He acknowledged that the
amendment further supported the
Committee’s view that there should be transparency and openness within the
democratic process.

RESOLVED
- That the webcasting contract renewal in January 2019 provide in addition for
the webcasting of all Scrutiny Committee meetings from the Council Chamber
subject to the availability of the Chamber and any other practical issues
during the remainder of the current municipal year and that the annual calendar
of meetings for 2019/20 take account of this.

REASON FOR DECISION

i.To strengthen public engagement and display openness and
transparency.

ii.To enable a proper procurement exercise to be undertaken in a
timely manner.

(i)To agree the appointment of Members to
the Executive Board, Committees, Scrutiny Committees and Various Panels set up
by the Council as part of its Constitution.

Minutes:

The
Lead Member for Organisation – Finance, Performance, Health and Safety submitted
a report (HCCS/54/18) allowing Council to consider representation of political
groups on the Executive Board, Committees, Scrutiny Committees and various
Panels set up by the Council as part of its Constitution

RESOLVED
-

(i)That the
Allocation of Seats, as tabled, be approved.

(ii)That the outstanding vacancies be filled as follows:

Employment,
Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee

(2 seats)

Councillor I
David Bithell , MBE

Councillor
Robert Walsh

Safeguarding,
Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee

(1 seat)

Councillor
Tina Mannering

Lifelong
Learning Scrutiny Committee

(2 seats)

Councillor
Tina Mannering

Councillor
Robert Walsh

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

(i)To agree the appointment of Members to
the Executive Board, Committees, Scrutiny Committees and Various Panels set up
by the Council as part of its Constitution.

39.

Exclusion of Press and Public

In considering whether to
exclude the press and public from the next part of the meeting Members are
asked to consider the following factors when determining the public interest
test.

Agenda Item 12 - Not for publication by virtue of Paragraph
15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as
amended).The Proper Officer has
determined in considering this report that Paragraph 15 should apply. Her
view on the public interest test was that while she is mindful of the need to
ensure that transparency and accountability of public authorities for decisions
taken by them, she was satisfied that in this case disclosure of the
information would prejudice the discussion in relation to labour relations to
the disadvantage of the authority and inhabitants of its area. On that
basis she felt that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs
the public interest in disclosing the information.

It is, therefore,
recommended that the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during
consideration of the following item as it is likely that, if they were present,
there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph
15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED - That the press
and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following
item as it is likely that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to
them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A
to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Minutes:

RESOLVED - That the press
and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following
item as it is likely that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to
them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A
to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The
Head of Paid Service submitted a report (CE/06/18) seeking Council approval for permission to consult on
a proposal to amend the Senior Management Structure, subject to the results of
consultation.

RESOLVED:That Council approve recommendations 3.1 and
3.2 as noted in the reportCE/06/18.

REASONS FOR DECISION

(i)To enable consultation to commence on
the proposals with the senior management tier and the recognised Trade Unions,
and to obtain feedback from Members.